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Alex

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Posts posted by Alex

  1. Link to article on Yahoo News

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    Red tape is holding up wedding bells for an estimated 10,000 U.S. citizens waiting on the Homeland Security Department to design new paperwork so they can apply for visas for their foreign fiancees.

     

    A new law, approved in January, required Homeland Security to retool visa application forms in an attempt to protect foreign mail-order brides from abusive American spouses. But the department, which oversees immigration services, failed to meet a March 6 deadline to produce the paperwork. And that has had unintended consequences — snarling the immigration process for thousands of other couples.

     

    A Homeland Security spokesman estimated that at least 10,000 couples have had their plans jilted even before they got to the altar.

     

    On Tuesday, the department said it would send out additional forms to the visa seekers for more information that should satisfy the new law's protections.

     

    "Mine never got approved. It's just sitting there," said Bill Hall, 41, a construction foreman from Burlington, Vt. He applied two months ago for a visa for his fiancee, Debbie, to immigrate from Canada with her two sons. In separate interviews, the couple said they have been dating for six years.

     

    Homeland Security acknowledges the bureaucratic delay is "certainly an inconvenience," said Chris Bentley, spokesman for the department's Citizen and Immigration Services.

     

     

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    What an admission by Homeland Security! 10,000 couples have been "inconvenienced" when their entire lives have been put not just on hold, but into total uncertainty! How charitable of DHS ...

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    I wonder who this affects most....(who is most "inconvenienced?)

     

    Is most of the holdup with newer applications pending approval from the service center, those in the NVC stage, or those pending the final interview?

  2. Alex ,it may not help but registering may have some importance if there is an emergency or some civil unrest etc .

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    I know they don't care about me,but in times of trouble we need to be creative. Who knows, perhaps someone idea will help many that come after.

     

    I have further developed my idea, and it may matter more if my Congressmans office communicates my travel plans to GZ..

     

     

    Hey, I'm trying!

  3. I will be in GZ for my fiancees interviewon Nov 4 . Of course she will have my passport in hand when she goes into the "chambers".

     

    I was thinking of e-mailing the consulate to let them know I will be there. I am trying to think of ways to make damn sure they know I'm outside, and an e-mail will also create a trail in case we need to reference proof. of course, that dated e-mail will correspond with all my boarding passes, etc.,

     

    This whole idea was prompted by the suggestion that I register my local GZ address with American Consulate Services prior to the interview, so I'll be in the computer system for their direct reference.

     

    I was thinking of writing a friendly short e-mail stating I will in Guangzhou on the day of the interview, ready to answer any questions.

    I can't decide if this is a great or awful idea...Your opinion?

     

    Thanks for your support !

  4. I will flying out to GZ on Tuesday. Last time I was there no one wanted to accept my American Express travel checks, and my credit cards didn't do me any good either. I'm going to carry alot of cash in a waistband pouch because I may need the extra $$$ to buy two tickets for my SO and daughter when they come back with me.I appreciate any other suggestions you may have.

     

    P.S.......my SO has my updated income statement and tax return papers, along with my updated letter of employment. I can't imagine what GZ could come up with next.

  5. I wrote a long letter to Ms. Harty many months ago pleading for help with my case. Her office couldn't care less about my K-1 dilema.

     

    I believe in Karma; one day those who ignore us will have THEIR pleas fall on deaf ears ....I hope such insensitive and arrogant people will eventually get a taste of their own medecine.

  6. Contacted my Congressmans office this morning , and asked them to contact Guangzhou and ask what they have planned for my fiancees Nov 4 interview . Is it just a matter of submitting the requested documents, or are they going to subject my SO to another 3rd degree interview? I told the Congressional office I want some clarity and answers ..we've already given them what they want. She passed the interview in 2004, and we overcame the challenge of the 3rd party correspondence in July 2005 resulting in a reapproved petition.

     

    My Congressman e-mailed Guangzhou on Monday, and they've yet to receive a response I was quick to point this out...that even their office wan't being treated with respect. I said the e-mail route failed, so now they should be called upon via telephone. I am not letting up damnit! Thanks for your support.

  7. I am so livid and disgusted. My fiancee just called after her visit at the consulate...here's the story and result...

     

    Two days ago the consulate (I refuse to spell consulate with a capital "c" because they deserve no respect), called my SO to go and present only her and her daughters passports. She asked them if she should bring evidence, and they said "no", jsut the passports.

     

    So she goes to the consulate only to be sent with a request to obtain an updated non criminal record, single person certificate, and divorce certificate (which she obtained 3 days ago at my insistence). They also requested that she and her daughter go for another medical exam. understand this request because of the avian flu scare. Then they told her to return with all the papers for an "interview" November 4th.

     

    Why the hell did they ask her to come in without the documents, then schedule her for an interview. it would make far more sense to ask for everything before seeing her at all. these GZ people are master time wasters, and frankly I'm worried again...My health can not endure the stress of the last 2 years much longer...I will not go through another 6 month wait...this is insane!

  8. I received a call at 4a.m. today from my fiancee. A woman from the consulate called and asked she bring her and her daughters passports to the consulate tomorrow morning. The woman did not ask her to bring evidence, just the passports. Just a couple of days ago i posted I wasn't sure if they would give a one day or one month notice...my feelings seem to have been warranted. I have a pretty good feeling they will issue the visa tomorrow, but I'll hold my breath till I get official news.

     

    My SO got her single person certif, divorce certif, and non criminal certif updated and translated just yesterday!!! ...from what I understand the GZ consulate is not interested inm all this stuff..just the passports. I hope we're on the verge of news we want to hear after two years of GZ hell.

     

    I'll keep you posted !

  9. I am definitely a believer in using Congressional help. My Republican Congressman was worthless, but his Democratic counterpart consistently advocated for me. I used to vote straight party Republican, but those days are over. It's unacceptable that my partys Congressman wouldn't help.

     

    Thank you Congressman Cuellar and staff for your assistance. Shame on you Congressman Bonilla!

  10. Don't delay another minute, contact your congressman and senator right away, it has been too long for you.  Maybe they can shake something loose, part of the problem may be that your wife has a common name, and I have heard that this can slow things somewhat.  My process has just shaken loose at the NVC and they should be forwarding my case to GUZ very soon.

     

    Best wishes and hang in there!!!

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    my petition was reapproved on July 12, then NVC sent it to Guangzhou on August 25th. Now it's a matter of waiting for the appointment . I was told the wait between NVC and guangzhou should be about two months, so i expect to hear something soon. Godd luck to you on your case as well!

  11. I read your post last night. Sorry to hear about the bad break. But you can get it cleared up, I'm sure of it. Get whatever it is that they want and go in with both barrels blasting!! (figuratively speaking of course!)...... :lol:

     

    ~Best of luck, Eric!....

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    It is very appropriate I respond to your post because my S.O. and I have been getting screwed for 19 months as a result of third party correspondence. My fiancee had to provide a photo of her ex holding a current newspaper...luckily, he agreed to it...probably in his daughters interest.

     

    As a veteran victim of the bureacratic follies, I have suggest, as thye others have, to give them reams of evidence, and tell you SO not to seek help from one of many fraudulent "consultative agencies" in Guangzhou. Get a lawyer (maybe King?), to help you navigate through this.

     

    Perhaps your local Congressman can help you as well..mine kept my case from being revoked! Find a tateside bureaucrat who will DO, and not just talk.

     

    It's hard to keep a clear head when you're madder than hell, but this is a time you need to be at your best. Just get to the task and anticipate delays. None of this crap should stop you from planning a life with the one you love..you only have to be the knight in shining armor ...you can do it my friend, and this CFL family will see you through the storm!

  12. I sent GZ an e-mail asking about the fiancee visa interview appointment . I sent the inquiry at 8p.m. c.s.t. this evening, and got a response by 11:30 p.m....gee at these speeds, someones gonna break their neck! 

     

    Their reply was  they have yet to receive the hard copy of my re-approved case, and that it usually takes 2 months from the time NVC forwards it . My guess is my paperwork is in a DHL warehouse.

     

    If nothing else GZ provided real quick turnaround on this inquiry.

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    Some good news. It was written by a real person? or copied and pasted? The norm is 2 months of "the mail room." Followed by anouther 2 months of "security clearance checks". Followed by at least 3 months (and counting) of waiting for a date for a date, followed by 1 month till interview. Any sign that a warm blooded human being responded, should be commended though. Congrats.

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    Security clearance checks shouldn't be necessary since my application was re-approved. We're working with the original petition/application, so there should be no P3 phase this time. Remember, this is my second go round with these people.

     

    The e-mail seemed specific enough for me to believe a human actually typed something out. I pray I'll have her home before Christmas. My employer has given me the green light to take extra time needed for the interview.

  13. I sent GZ an e-mail asking about the fiancee visa interview appointment . I sent the inquiry at 8p.m. c.s.t. this evening, and got a response by 11:30 p.m....gee at these speeds, someones gonna break their neck!

     

    Their reply was they have yet to receive the hard copy of my re-approved case, and that it usually takes 2 months from the time NVC forwards it . My guess is my paperwork is in a DHL warehouse.

     

    If nothing else GZ provided real quick turnaround on this inquiry.

  14. For all of you awaiting your SO's interview a bit of advice............I was explaining this mess to my wife and she has heard of this happening before.......jealousy of an acquaintence. It is in your SO's best interest to not discuss her pending visa to America with everyone, maybe only a best friend and family. She can tell everyone once the visa is in her hand.

     

    It's maddening that our good friends in Guangzhou will listen to someone who has no interest in a case, who has no documentation of anything, and just take their worthless words and put people into this living hell. There should be legal guidelines to consider third party information but apparently Gz considers the rumor mill to be valid information.

     

    Good luck to everyone, especially Alex!

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    Well, today I e-mailed Guangzhou to ask what's going on..I'm expecting more nothing, but perhaps my luck will change (sigh). Oh yes, I spoke to my boss and I will be able to travel to GZ for the interview. I'm just waiting for a date!

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